Longtime leader leaves legacy of expanding access to care and keeping pets and people together.
Routt County Humane Society (RCHS) Executive Director Elaine Hicks will retire in August 2026 after years of dedicated leadership and service to the organization and the broader Northwest Colorado community.
During her tenure, Hicks helped guide RCHS’s evolution from a traditional animal shelter into a comprehensive community resource—one focused not only on animal care, but on supporting the people who love them. Her leadership emphasized reducing barriers to care and ensuring families and pets could stay together, even during times of hardship.
“Elaine’s impact on this organization and our community is both meaningful and lasting,” said Jennifer Grathwohl, Board President of Routt County Humane Society. “She has helped shape a more compassionate, accessible model of animal welfare—one that will continue to guide our work for years to come.”
Under Hicks’ leadership, RCHS significantly expanded its programs, services, and regional reach. Key milestones during her tenure include:
- Opening the RCHS Wellness Clinic in 2020, expanding access to affordable veterinary care
- Navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic —adapting quickly to continue serving animals and our community, and emerging stronger as an organization.
- Adding a mobile spay/neuter and disaster-relief trailer to reach rural and underserved areas
- Launching a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in Hayden to humanely address community cat populations
- Taking in 3,369 animals, finding homes for 2,054, vaccinating 1,600 community pets, and serving 2,576 animals through Wellness Clinic programs
Beyond these milestones, Hicks prioritized a philosophy that has come to define RCHS’s work: that supporting people is one of the most effective ways to help animals. This approach led to expanded services designed to remove barriers related to cost, access, and geography—ensuring more pets could remain in loving homes.
During her time as Executive Director, Hicks also strengthened partnerships across the region, working collaboratively with local governments, veterinary providers, nonprofits, and businesses to build a more connected and responsive system of care.
Financially, RCHS experienced significant growth under her leadership, with revenue increasing by 68.3%. This growth has positioned the organization for long-term sustainability and enabled the expansion of programs that serve both animals and people.
Reflecting on her time with RCHS, Hicks shared that she hopes her legacy will be rooted in the organization’s commitment to keeping pets and people together.
“This work has never been about one person,” Hicks said. “It’s about a community that shows up—again and again—for animals who need us.”
RCHS leadership and the Board of Directors will share updates in the coming months regarding the transition process and opportunities for the community to celebrate Hicks’ contributions.
“We are deeply grateful for Elaine’s leadership and for the community that has made this work possible,” said Jennifer Grathwohl, RCHS Board President, “Together, we will continue building on this strong foundation.”
